Emperor of Mankind (Naruto X Marvel )

Getting back to Hiashi, Naruto agreed to his proposal and received a pair of black fingerless gloves with the Hyuga clan symbol on the back. The symbol showed chakra trapped inside a fan or field of vision, signifying how the Hyuga clan could trap chakra inside the body.

Regardless, the gloves didn't seem to be a simple gift.

Naruto looked at the black fingerless gloves in his hands, feeling their weight—not just physically, but symbolically. The Hyuga clan emblem on the back gleamed faintly, a testament to the heritage and skill behind their creation. He turned them over, examining their intricate design. The way Hiashi explained their function made it clear they weren't just gloves; they were tools designed to amplify his potential.

Hiashi, standing with his usual dignified air, continued to observe Naruto, gauging his reaction. "This is something we bestow upon our elders and chosen fighters," he explained. "These gloves are crafted specifically for the Gentle Fist. They'll enhance your ability to control chakra in your hands, allow for precise manipulation, and even enable concentrated bursts of internal strikes. They are designed for power and efficiency. I trust they are to your liking."

Naruto nodded slowly, though the initial excitement was missing from his expression. "Thank you for the gift," he said, still uncertain about their utility for someone like him. Gloves felt restrictive, and he wasn't sure they matched his fighting style.

Hiashi raised an eyebrow, sensing Naruto's hesitation. "It seems, Mister Uzumaki, that you have not learned much about the value of equipment," he said, his tone steady but without condescension. "Please don't take my words as disrespect."

Naruto's eyes met Hiashi's, and he gave a small smile. "Please, guide me," he said sincerely. Naruto had grown to appreciate the wisdom of those with experience, and Hiashi's calm, authoritative demeanor reminded him of his late father, Minato.

Hiashi nodded approvingly before continuing. "Equipment is as vital a part of a warrior's arsenal as ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, or even Fuinjutsu. Just like these disciplines, it allows one to enhance their abilities and overcome challenges. Let me give you a simple example: What do you think hurts more—a hand enhanced with chakra or a sword enhanced with chakra?"

Naruto thought for a moment. "The sword would hurt more if both fighters are on the same level," he said thoughtfully, "or if the sword user is stronger."

"Exactly," Hiashi affirmed. "The sword provides an advantage because it is harder and more effective than the human body alone. Equipment allows a shinobi to exceed their natural limits. Consider the legendary Samehada or the Sword of Nunoboko. These tools granted their wielders power beyond imagination. Even the Sage of Six Paths himself, despite his godlike abilities, used equipment to amplify his strength. I believe you possess tremendous power, but even you may find that the right tools can make a significant difference. It is not weakness to seek enhancement; it is wisdom."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on him. He had always relied on his own abilities and underestimated the potential of equipment. The examples Hiashi provided—the Sage of Six Paths, legendary weapons—struck a chord. "Thank you, Mister Hyuga," Naruto said earnestly, bowing with respect. "You've helped me broaden my perspective."

Hiashi inclined his head in acknowledgment. "It is the duty of elders to impart knowledge to the next generation."

Naruto straightened, his mind already spinning with possibilities. "Even so, thank you. And, if you don't mind... Do you know anyone who could create custom equipment for me?"

Hiashi's expression turned thoughtful. "Unfortunately, there is no one currently capable of forging equipment suitable for someone of your caliber. Your power would overwhelm standard tools. However, I can call in some favors and arrange for you to learn from experts in the field. It may take time, but mastering this skill yourself might be the most reliable path forward. Alternatively, you could study the equipment left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, which Konoha now possesses. They could serve as references for creating your own tools—or even be used temporarily until you forge something more fitting."

Naruto took a moment to process the information. The idea of crafting his own equipment intrigued him, and the thought of wielding tools once owned by the Sage himself sent a thrill through him. His resolve hardened. He needed to grow stronger—not just for himself, but for everyone who relied on him.

"I'll do it," he said firmly. "Whatever it takes to prepare for what's coming."

Hiashi gave him a curious glance. "You speak as if you know what lies ahead."

Naruto hesitated, the weight of the Sage's warning pressing heavily on his shoulders. He hadn't shared the full truth with anyone. They were still recovering from the war, and the knowledge of what he knew would only bring despair.

He was unsure how far he needed to go, but the Sage had already warned him that Kaguya was nothing compared to what would come next.

It was a secret that he had hidden from everyone else since they were still recovering from the damage. Others only had the idea that there were some enemies that could destroy the planet. They didn't know that there were enemies out there that could treat planet destruction as casual as breathing.

Kaguya was nothing in the grand picture of the world. It was a mind numbing fact that the Sage had cursed upon him.

Flashback:

Naruto stood atop the Hokage Monument, the vast city of his spiritual world stretching out before him. This world was a reflection of his inner strength, grown immense during the Fourth Great Ninja War. What was once a modest representation of his inner self had expanded into a sprawling, empty Konoha, eerily devoid of life. The streets, houses, and even the training grounds lay silent. The only living presence, aside from Naruto himself, was Kurama, who slept soundly in the dense trees of the Forest of Death, his massive form partially hidden among the foliage.

The weight of the silence pressed down on Naruto as he stood, the carved faces of the Hokage beneath his feet serving as a reminder of the legacy he now carried. But he wasn't alone. Beside him stood Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths, his expression a mixture of sorrow and regret.

"Good evening, my child," Hagoromo greeted, his voice calm but heavy with emotion. "I am sorry for your loss and the burden you bear. If I could change what has happened, I would. But it was something that could not be altered. It was predestined that Indra would fall to Asura. I deeply regret that you had to endure so much pain because of my mistakes."

Naruto turned to face the ancient sage, his expression somber but steady. He listened, sensing the weight of centuries in Hagoromo's words. The Sage's regret was palpable. Even he, with all his wisdom and power, had been unable to prevent the endless cycle of conflict between his descendants.

"When my sons were born, I saw the future," Hagoromo continued, his voice trembling slightly. "I saw Indra meeting his end at the hands of Asura. No matter what I did, no matter how I tried to steer them onto different paths, it always led to the same conclusion. Somehow, they were fated to clash. Fated to destroy each other."

Hagoromo paused, his eyes distant, lost in memories of his children. "I gave up trying to change their fate. I withheld my secret arts from them, knowing that if I empowered them further, their conflict would consume the world. I thought I was protecting the future... but I only delayed the inevitable."

Naruto clenched his fists, the Sage's words stirring a storm of emotions within him. He had always hated the idea of destiny, the thought that his actions were preordained, that his choices were meaningless. But he refused to let anyone else carry the blame for what had happened.

"No," Naruto said firmly, his voice cutting through the silence. "It isn't your fault, Sage. It's mine. I was too weak. I had all the advantages anyone could ask for, and I wasted them. I was careless, and when it mattered most, I couldn't find the words to reach Sasuke. If I had been stronger, if I had learned more, maybe I could have shown him a better way."

Naruto's gaze hardened, his conviction unwavering. "This has nothing to do with you or your sons. Sasuke and I—our choices were our own. We're not Indra and Asura. We might have inherited their powers, but we're different people. Our fight was our fight, and the responsibility is ours alone." They had their own personalities and it had nothing to do with the son's of the Sage. Naruto didn't have any memories of Asura, nor did he know the man. It went the same for Sasuke. They were just their ancestors, nothing more.

Hagoromo looked at Naruto, his ancient eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and admiration. The young man before him had matured far beyond the impulsive boy he had first entrusted with his power. Naruto's words carried a truth that even the Sage could not deny.

"You are right," Hagoromo admitted after a long silence. "You and Sasuke are not my sons. You have walked your own paths, and your choices are your own. Yet, it is also true that the power you inherited shaped the paths you took. Without it, you might never have reached this point."

Naruto nodded, accepting the complexity of the situation but unwilling to shift blame. "Why are you here, Sage?" he asked, changing the subject. "You wouldn't bring me here unless it was important."

Hagoromo Otsutsuki's presence grew heavier as he spoke, his voice resonating with an ancient gravity. He stood next to Naruto, who listened with wide eyes, his mind racing to process the truth being revealed.

"You are right. There is something that you need to know before I leave," Hagoromo said, his expression filled with an emotion Naruto couldn't quite read. His gaze softened as he turned to the younger man, the weight of centuries of knowledge pressing down on his words.

Naruto frowned, unsure of what this new revelation meant. "Leave? Aren't you going to help the world?"

Hagoromo's eyes grew distant, his tone becoming even more somber. "Naruto, I am dead. I can't help the world anymore, or else I would have done so from the start. I could only assist now because the conditions were finally right to summon me for this limited time. Just as your parents left behind a part of their soul, I too sent a fragment of my essence into the future where it could make a difference." He paused, casting a sorrowful glance at the silent Konoha below. "Now that I have fulfilled my purpose, my main soul is pulling me back, and I cannot deny the rules of life and death."

Naruto stood in stunned silence, trying to wrap his head around what Hagoromo had said. But before he could speak, the Sage continued.

"I must warn you, Naruto. Never consider attempting to revive the dead, for it would summon something beyond your worst nightmares. The primordial force of Death itself would not take kindly to such disrespect of the natural laws."

Naruto's mind reeled from the bombshell. "You mean… Death has consciousness?" he stammered, his thoughts unraveling as the enormity of the revelation hit him.

Hagoromo nodded, his expression darkening. "Yes. But let us not dwell on things that are beyond our understanding, Naruto." His voice lowered, almost as if speaking to himself. "There are forces at play that even I cannot fully comprehend. Let us focus on what you must know. Naruto, as you must know that I am not human nor was my mother."

Naruto, still grappling with the idea of a sentient force of Death, nodded slowly, trying to regain his composure. "Yeah, we don't have horns and we don't come from the stars," he said, attempting to make light of the situation, though his voice lacked the usual cheer.

Hagoromo gave a small, sad smile, but the gravity of his next words would only deepen Naruto's understanding of the world he lived in. "The Otsutsuki," he began, "are not human, nor was my mother. We are a parasitic species, born from the need to evolve beyond the limits of time and space. For thousands of years, we have traveled across the cosmos to carry out the Otsutsuki Will, a doctrine that dictates our purpose: to consume the life energy and genetic material of other worlds to continuously evolve."

Naruto stood still, the words sinking in like heavy stones. The weight of the Sage's revelation made his chest tighten. "Our ultimate goal," Hagoromo continued, "is to ascend from the mortal plane to a higher existence, the Fifth Dimension, a realm where life, death, time, and even reality as you know it no longer apply."

The more Hagoromo spoke, the more the entire universe seemed to warp around Naruto's understanding. He thought he had grasped the magnitude of the world's mysteries, but now he was being shown a truth far more terrifying than anything he had imagined.

"The Otsutsuki seek out planets on which to plant the seed of the Divine Tree, the Juubi," Hagoromo's voice darkened with the weight of this knowledge. "This tree draws its energy from the life forms of the planet. Once it matures and bears fruit, it absorbs the energy of all beings on that world, including the souls of those who died there. The fruit grants whoever consumes it unimaginable power, power on par with the collective strength of the entire planet and the souls of every living being that ever existed on it."

Naruto's eyes widened in horror, his mind struggling to comprehend the implications of what he was hearing. "So… every time one of those trees bears fruit, the entire planet…" he trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

"Drained of all life," Hagoromo confirmed, his voice grim. "The Otsutsuki gain not only the abilities of the living beings on that planet, but also the abilities of all those who have perished there. In their quest for power, they destroy entire worlds, leaving only emptiness in their wake."

Naruto stood in stunned silence, the weight of the knowledge pressing down on him. The Otsutsuki, the beings who had once invaded his world, were not just power-hungry invaders. They were part of an unending cycle of parasitic ascension, devouring the very life of the universe in pursuit of their twisted goal.